Electroconvulsive therapy is a safe and effective treatment for elderly patients suffering from depression. This treatment often produces better results than in younger patients and could reduce the need for hospital care, according to new research from Örebro University.

Tor Arnison, a licensed psychologist and researcher in clinical epidemiology at Örebro University, has conducted a registry study of more than 500 people aged 85 or older who have received electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). These patients were compared with an equally large group of younger patients as well as a group of people of the same age who also had depression but did not receive ECT.

“We wanted to study people aged 85 years or older because they often have depression but are rarely included in research. Medications are known to cause more side effects in this age group. At the same time, knowledge is lacking about how effective and safe other forms of treatment, such as ECT, are for these patients,” says Tor Arnison.

Fewer side effects – and reduced need for hospital care

The results show that ECT is highly effective in treating elderly patients. Approximately eight out of ten patients showed improvement, and over half made a full recovery. “They also had fewer hospital admissions after treatment than their peers who did not receive ECT. Side effects were relatively few and mainly consisted of temporary confusion or blood pressure effects,” says Tor Arnison.

He concludes that ECT is a safe and effective treatment even among the oldest patients – and that it often works better in this group than in younger patients.

“Advanced age in itself does not appear to be an inhibitor to ECT, and severe mental illness can be treated successfully even in very old age.”

How can healthcare benefit from your research?

“The results show that ECT should be used more in this age group, especially when medication does not help or causes severe side effects. The study may help to reduce hesitation in healthcare and increase access to effective treatment for the oldest patients,” says Tor Arnison.